Le ridicule ne tue pas....les Parisiennes de Mumsnet

[AuldAlliance]

New thread for those hoping to add a bit of Parisian je ne sais quoi and je m'en fous to their style.

Sorry, meant to post measurements yesterday for you, Flo. They're 32" to be worn low on the waist. I have a 23" waist and would need them taken in quite a bit to wear them at the waist but I think it should be doable for you, but they are on the larger side. PM me your address and I'll send them over if you're still interested as I'm assuming a tailor is definitely necessary.

NAP doesn't work for me either, I think it is a per country thing now. I can't even see the 'seasonal picks' anymore. Did get access to the Farfetch sale that's also very good at the moment, a lot at 50% off.

I think I've also fallen for a Mulberry Amberley and I'm not a Mulberry type at all but I saw this teeny tiny one when passing by quickly on my way to pick up my Zara hat (still pleased to bits about it and the smaller size fits perfectly). I was only there to see if they'd gone on sale yet for peony. I'm not sure if I'll get it though as it's teeny tiny but I love the colour and it's lizard embossed leather so quite the little jewel to wear. I think it was Sock who mentioned upthread that an unusual colour like mustard can be surprisingly versatile and uplifting which I definitely echo... So, basically feeding myself a sales pitch currently. Apols for crappy picture quality, clearly I was distracted...

I did end up buying a pair of leather replacements for my slides, they're pretty much identical in shape, just a lot more comfy and not suffocating over 20° weather. Surprisingly affordable from a Swedish brand, Vagabond Shoemakers, who turn out to be highly ethical shoemakers. Thought the sales assistant was feeding me a bit of PR bullshit but it's actually well ranked (especially on the environmental front but supply chain appears clean too as they take their ethics quite seriously). Tried on a few others from them (mostly flats) and they were all really comfy, which is something really rare for me to find in flats. There appears to be some sort of cushioning in them. Might go back for a pair of cognac sandals if they go on sale as I have no urgent need for those.

Hi
@botemp -loving the dress and both pairs of shoes. Quite fancy some slides. I love pointy shoes and they’d work well with the cooler climate here... off for a look now!

The bags all look gorgeous. I’m not really a bag person as I always put them down somewhere I shouldn’t! I would be stressed out the whole time!

I still can’t decide between those jackets. I’ll maybe take a couple of photos to get some input.

Sooo I’ve been shopping again-Zara this time. I got this gorgeous linen dress. It’s much longer on me than on the model and also more fitted.

The sweetheart neckline is really flattering as I’m quite broad of shoulder. Will be great for holidays.

m.zara.com/uk/en/strappy-linen-dress-p04043076.html?v1=6052048&v2=1662&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI99DG6uqJ2wIVWfhRCh3_9wOpEAQYAyABEgJBFPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CLH00_LqidsCFa0w0wodUNgIiQ

And whilst in Zara I picked this up. Colour is gorgeous and it feels relaxed but yet is flamboyant! I hate feeling constricted in clothes.
m.zara.com/uk/en/embroidered-jacquard-kimono-p06428041.html?v1=5379006&v2=358002

I also got this shirt which is lovely-a nice proper blue. Comes up small.
m.esprit.co.uk/fitted-denim-shirt-with-stretch-and-press-studs-038EE1F026_902?referrer=search

And finally I love this skirt - 70s vibe. Nice belt too.

m.esprit.co.uk/womenswear/clothes/skirts/midi/midi-skirt-with-a-belt-and-pockets-038ET1D001_350?referrer=default

Ooooh, loving Rosie's skirt and the colour of that kimono. Malachite green is so good.

Peony, time and traffic permitting, I will aim to drive through Shepton on tomorrow and see if the Amberley is in the outlet and how much; then you can make up your mind whether to pop down from Bristol.

Oh, I do love a live MN S&B hunt. You do realise, Sock, this means updates of ever movement which I will read in a David Attebborough voice and you have to find it or we will all be really disappointed

Your haul looks great, Rosie, agree on the utilitarian style skirt, it's fab. Love the colours on the kimono and linen dress too. I was having a quick browse of similar linen dresses at Zara as they have quite a few appealing ones but drooling over bags and shoes time wasted at the department store and getting dinner on had me moving on.

No pressure then, Bo!

Oh Bo that bag is lovely. Even your cat head looks wistful...
Rosie, nice selection of purchases there. I really like the deep green of the kimono.

Hello all - have been lurking for ages, thank you so much for all the wonderful ideas. I work for a Swiss/French company with a Paris office so I spend a lot of time there and am always trying to up my game (luckily my colleagues are either older than me and/or men, so lots of inspiration from older French women in my industry.) I've been wearing proper red lipstick and mascara and trying to overhaul my wardrobe with more classics.

I've found two things off my "Parisienne list to buy" today in my lunch break. I thought I'd post about them because I was so surprised to actually find something in Zara and Mango (generally have bad luck there), and also because the descriptions and photos online are so misleading!

First was a blue jacket light enough to wear in the summer - walked into Mango and saw this in Linen which I would have bought straightaway, but they didn't have my size in the shop. So I came away with the poly/viscose - the website describes this as patterned, with a quilted panel on the shoulder, neither of which is true! I know it's the same item because the ref # on the tag is the same, but it's completely falsely described. It's actually quite plain and classic.

The other thing on my list was a low block-heel closed-toed sandal that would work in the office or with jeans, and I found this pair in Zara - again, completely falsely represented on the website. The photos make them look quite caramel coloured but in fact the suede is far lighter, more of a pinky nude.

I'm hoping both of these give me a bit of a Coco Chanel flair, as I have to go back to Paris in a few weeks.

Finally, a question for you bag mavens. For the last 6(!) years my daily bag has been the Modalu Pippa in black, but the new version has different zips and hardware and I'm not sure I like it much. Any suggestions for a Parisienne-approved handbag that is similar? I'm in asset management so it has to look professional and sober but modern. I thought the Celine Belt bag was the one, but when I saw it in the flesh the other day it felt weirdly unbalanced on my arm, like when it was full of anything it would tip sideways. My female Parisian colleagues all have Lancel and Loewe bags so maybe I should just get one of those...

GrumpySquirrel thanks, I think when those linen trousers die, I will have to take them to a seamstress to make another pair . Your wrap shirt sounds lovely, I remember wearing something similar when I was pg.

Interesting about Vagabonds, bo, I had heard of them and liked quite a bit of their stuff, but did not realise they were particularly ethical. Good to know.

Love the blazers, Xiao.

So today was officially funny trousers day and all good, no eyebrows raised or eyelids batted.

bo I have pm'd you mwah mwah

Love that kimono Rosie - such a great colour and shape.

And the jackets too Xiao. I always sit out the bag talk as I know nothing but you're in good hands.

Xiao, I really like that Mango linen jacket.

Life is a bit of a rocky road just now, and I've little to contribute to the thread, but I'm lurking and liking, Parisiennes...

(Time to start thinking of a title for the next thread?)

Packing for my weekend away, think I am well on the route to nailing summer dressing for the UK! Too many stripes for the true Parisienne, I suspect...

We are fast approaching new thread territory. I feel we need something referencing the Sainsbury Baguette. Like a Fendi baguette, only cheaper.

Peony Looks like a nicely curated suitcase there. One thing I have loved about my journey is how much easier packing is. I was able to pack for London including a fanncy dinner and still still fit all my purchases into a cabin bag. I think the more classic items are easier to fit together and so require fewer items.

Rosie - particularly love the kimono and skirt.

Grumpy - nice purchases.

xioa - love the shoes and the linen blazer is a good find.

Ahhh the internet is taunting me. Browns private sale now on and 30 -50% off lots of things. I will be strong.

Wearing my bargain flared jeans today - EUR29 from DMag and ebay military jacket - thanks botemp for a kind of 70s vibe. Hopefully it works.

Peony that looks lovely and all of a colour palette.

Elle looking good. I'm rocking a 70s vibe myself, indigo flares and leather jacket today. I wouldn't say I'm a classic dresser, but I do find it easier to put things together that fit well and are flattering. I think the effort all goes into finding the right things and then it seems (and hopefully looks) effortless to wear them.

Well quite, Sock. If it's not too much to ask a wild detour with SockDog would be appreciated, along with a surprise appearance by SockSon, and his coat, obviously, and a guest starring role for a deadpan SockGrandmaman

peony, obviously you love the bag too before I forget, not that I was internet stalking my baby Amberley online or anything but I came across a company that sells little guards for the hardware on the Amberley where it's likely to wear on the closure.

Welcome, Xiao. I had a nose in Mango yesterday and will confirm the linen blazer is a cracking buy as seen in the picture attached. NB, that brown thing is not a leather penis, it's my belt that's tied down, it looks perfectly normal without a blazer over the top, honest. The blazer has really great shoulders and good waist emphasis. I personally did prefer it a size up on me. Didn't buy it as I ended up ordering the H&M blazer though in a size smaller than they had in the shop as it came back in stock, it arrived today and it's perfect.

I know what you mean about the Celine belt bag, I love how it looks on other people but it looks odd on me. I think in terms of work bags the Prada Galleria bag is always worth a mention as it is a proper workhorse that can carry a proper load and doesn't need babying.

I'm less of a fan of the Saint Laurent Sac du Jour but people who have it really like it.

I'd avoid the Mulberry Bayswater as it's very heavy without anything in it.

At a lower price point but a touch more delicate to look after, I really like the look of the Mansur Gavriel lady bags for a work bag in a more formal environment.

I thougt we had already decided on 'This thread is about as French as a Sainsbury's baguette'. I'm all for that one but open to others. Fendi baguettes remind me of SATC rather than Paris, though I think there was a story line with faux ones.

Love the 70s vibe, Elle. I love it when you suddenly realise you've composed an outfit out of great bargain buys without intent. I'm surprised (not in a bad way) by the toes on display, I thought most corporate offices still didn't allow for it.

My NAP haul is arriving any minute now!!

@botemp the leather penis

Leather penis

Having an internal battle with myself over what to keep/return from NAP.

• SL charcoal tote: absolutely lovely, very simple and although you can get cheaper bags very similar, the shape and colour and perfect and looks high quality - KEEPING

• SL cashmere stripe jumper: have wanted one for years. Even with 25 per cent off, I'm not sure it's worth £500. It's very nice, but is it THAT nice? Also I can't really wear it until I give birth and lose at least a stone. So should I return it?

• bottega Veneta white shoulder bag ; I don't have anything like this and would be useful for smarter summer events (for example I have a christening to go to tomorrow and no suitable bag, Celine belt bag is my go-to but it's black and not that small/summery). BUT I don't love it. It feels fussy (specifically the thin strap with buckle). So it's going back.

• Chloe flats. Very nice, but I'll need to swap for 38 as 38.5 are going to be too loose in 5 minutes. I like the pink suede better but the white leather has more chance of survival and are more versatile for work etc. however unlikely to wear either short term due to fat preggo ankles making these dainty shoes look, well, not dainty (hmm) - ?

I would think a little about the practicalities of baby squirrel when deciding what to keep.
There are a lot of bodily fluids to deal with the first few months, especially baby sick. So I’m not sure I’d want to wear an expensive cashmere jumper around a young baby, so when you’re thinking about whether to keep it, bear in mind that it might not get a great deal of wear in the first few months. Ditto suede shoes

Also Bo leather penis

Well as the leather penis in the room my opinion surely outranks all of yours now, so here goes: return it all except the SL tote.

If something's expensive and you're not absolutely in love with it no reason to keep it. The SL jumper sounds more like a mismatch of expectation and reality, save yourself some money and see the reality for what it is. The Chloe shoes are available every year, if you're unlikely to wear them at all for the foreseeable future just get some next year. Personally I've never found light shoes very versatile beyond dressing up for events but that may be down to skin tone.

Thanks guys, you confirmed it, I'm returning everything I'm not 100 per cent on, so just keeping the SL tote.

I agree with just keeping the tote. My skin tones ballet flats are holding up well though so if the Chloe’s came in a nude leather, they could be worth a look?

botemp officially our dress code is now “dress for your day” and the only outlawed stuff is sportswear, beachwear and ripped, untidy items. In reality this means that I’m corporate fear any day I have meetings (75% if the time). Really if they’re only internal meetings I should be able to be casual, but all the men still wear shirts and suit trousers so I feel very underdressed if I many similarly smart. I do think it can play into the dynamics too, even though it shouldn’t. The other 25% of the time I try to go smart casual. Open toed shoes used to be out under our old dress code, but they’re fine now as long as they don’t cross into beachwear.

Like the blazer and lol at the leather penis.

Gah. Typo central! I meant corporate gear, not fear, though I do live in corporate fear sometimes too!

Yes I've always thought that about 'flexible' dress codes, it's a lot harder for women to navigate than men. That's without taking into consideration the already difficult to navigate line of women's wear in the workplace.

Hello! I have been off in the wilderness but reading along. One of our DC has had serious health issues so our world was turned on its head for a bit. Diagnosed with a lifelong disability but we are managing it and getting back to life.

While that was going on, we have finally got some good weather in UK and got to pull out the 'summer stock' (i. e. plastic tub under the bed of clothes) and it's lovely to greet some old friends. In particular, a beautiful pair of dark navy and cream silk trousers that I had totally forgotten about but are a joy in the warmer weather and do that great thing of being able to be adapted for almost any scenario.

Interestingly, when things were really tough with DC, my nails were beautifully painted (and the house was immaculate), which reminded me of our conversations on here about such small things making you feel more in control. Now things are more normal, they need a good buff, file and coat of clear varnish.

Not many purchases other than a couple of bits on ebay but did pick up something very similar to image from a charity shop for £1.99! I had seen a woman in her 40s wearing one locally with a really simple outfit and it looked so chic. So far been great in the garden but plan on wearing it in France in the summer.

Loved some of your finds, the green blazer was a stunning colour and loved the Mango blazer with leather detail. Also swooned at the pointed leather slides. I think they wouldn't work for my uber wide hobbit feet, which is a shame.